Side Table Makeover (Amy Howard Paint & Dust of Ages)
Hi sweet friends! It’s “trash to treasure” transformation Tuesday! I’ve been working through my stash of paints so I can write up a review/thoughts on all of them for you all. For today’s project, I used AMY HOWARD PAINT. (and her Dust of Ages too!)
I can’t wait to share what I think about it.
Here it is now…
Here’s the listing of products I used. I’m sharing affiliate links for them. You can read my full disclosure here.
M A T E R I A L S L I S T :
- General Finishes Antique Walnut Gel Stain
- General Finishes High Performance Top Coat in Satin
- Amy Howard Paint
- Amy Howard Dust of Ages
- Annie Sloan Clear Wax
My husband and I were at a Saturday morning market a few weeks ago.
We happened to stumble across this little beauty….. (among a few other things I picked up! ;) )
It needed a little (or a lot) of work but I loved the design.
I ended up getting it for $20.
A little more than I usually spend but that’s how it goes these days!
The top needed quite a bit of work.
I started by filling in some of the wood areas that were missing.
I then ended up having to glue down quite a bit of the wood laminate top….
It was really coming up all over.
I wanted to try to preserve it if I could. I really envisioned this table with a wood stained top, not painted.
Luckily, it worked out well.
I gave the top a light sand and applied some General Finishes Antique Walnut Gel Stain to the top.
Once that was dry, I gave it a finish with General Finishes High Performance Top Coat in Satin.
Love that stuff!
Isn’t that amazing? (scroll back up and check out the “before” top photo again!)
It is SO easy to freshen up a piece of wood like this.
AND with minimal effort too!!
Now for the Amy Howard Paint…..
I used the color “Nottaway“, a really pretty pale blue color.
As you can see above, the paint separates quite a bit.
There was a lot of liquid on the top when I opened it.
Shaking didn’t work (it was THICK) and stirring didn’t work much better, as you can see how I spilled it.
I did finally get it mixed up well enough though.
I’d say that’s the one negative…but not a big one.
Below left is the paint alone.
On the right is with the “Dust of Ages” applied over top.
The paint was a dream to use. Really. I loved it.
The Dust of Ages will take a bit of practice, as with most things.
I applied clear wax (I used Annie Sloan) and before it dries completely you apply the Dust of Ages.
It can be a bit challenging to get just the right “tackiness” so it will adhere properly but not too much.
However, I love it too! It was fun to use and watch it transform the paint.
Hopefully you guys can see the difference in these photos.
I didn’t sand to distress this wood. Instead, I let the Dust of Ages do the work of giving it an aged appearance.
Love this little table now…..
Quick and super easy makeover with Amy Howard Paint and General Finishes products.
PIN this for later so you won’t forget! :)
Now let’s check out the “trash” my friends turned into treasures this month!
If you want to see more of our “Trash to Treasure Transformations”, click here >>> Trash to Treasures
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Check in later this week to see what I did with this old bed! (a keeper!!)
UPDATE!!! See it now, here!!
Have a great week!!
xoxo
Hey,
nice piece of work I love the colour of the blue.
Thanks,
Chloe
https://www.etsy.com/shop/lushaprints
Thanks Chloe!
That is a gem of a find, Nancy, and the stain and paint combo gave it new life. Bravo, girlfirend!
Thanks Larissa! :)
Nancy
It looks so pretty now love the color choices together, great job Nancy :))
Thanks Sandra!
I love blue with dark wood stain too! :) Thank you!!
xo
Nancy
What a gorgeous table, Nancy! I love that color, and I have some of her dust of ages powder, but have yet to use it on anything! Need to pull it out! XO
Thanks Christy!!! And yes, pull that stuff out and play! Remember how fun it was to use?! :)
xo
Nancy
hey girl love the table ! So pretty!
Thank you Shawnna! :)
xo
Nancy
Love it! My question is what filler did you use that took the stain so nicely? I’ve only had as experiences with trying to stain filler, even the stainable brands.
Hi Susie,
I just used Elmer’s Wood Filler. It was two small, slim areas were wood was missing. The gel stain I linked does a good job of blending.:)
Nancy
If I had come across this piece I would have not attempted a makeover with the wood so damaged – glad to see how will it came out – you’re brave and you’ve got the skills! Very charming!
Aw thank you!! :)
Nancy
Glad to hear your review of the Amy Howard paint. That’s what I’m going to use for my lower kitchen cabinets…..Good to know that it needs lots of stirring
Oh you’ll love it Michelle! :) I can’t wait to use it again but yes, lots of stirring!
Nancy
Amy recommends that you turn the paint can upside down for about 30 minutes before using to let the minerals distribute more evenly. It’s a lot easier to stir then.
Good to know!! Thank you!
Such a sweet table! I love that beautiful stained top with the pale blue bottom. And the Dust of Ages sounds so interesting – I’ll have to check it out!
Thanks Jen!! Yes, it’s neat stuff! I can’t wait to use it on something with lots of detail. :)
xo
Nancy
That’s beautiful, Nancy! You know how I love those pieces with the stained tops! I have a hallway entry/sofa table that is in need of a makeover… I think this is what I will do!
However, I’m confused about the Dust of Ages. I went to the Amazon link, but they don’t really give much information, I was able see a difference in your pictures, but I’m not exactly sure what I am seeing. Can you help a girl? Thank you! xo
Hey Karen!!
Thanks! :)
Hmm, it really gives it a “dirtied up” aged appearance. lol I think it will work best with something that has deep detail.
This product would bring out the detail perfectly. It sort of looks like the dust and such that naturally collects over years.
Hope I explained that okay! Hard to describe! ;)
xo
Nancy
Would you recommend the GF satin poly for wooden stairs in my house? Not sure the stain the man used. Would I be able to use GF gel stain over it to get a richer color then use the poly?
Thanks
Barbara Ann
Hi Barbara,
Yes, you should be able to. I would give a light sand over the entire surface and then apply. Let that dry well (24-48 hours) and then apply the high performance poly. I haven’t used the poly in that type of application however. I do love Varathane floor poly though! You could use that. It’s very hard and has worn very well on our wood floors.
Hope this helps!!
xo
Nancy
I have 2 of these little tables from my grandparents. Sanded one down and now see what I can do with them. Thanks.
Hi Jody,
Oh perfect! Lucky you have 2. :)
Nancy
Great makeover! The Dust of Ages really does give this table base an aged look. I played with Amy Howard products at Haven and liked them but I don’t think that they are available in my area.
Thanks Paula! :) The Dust of Ages was fun. I can’t wait to try it out again!
xo
Nancy